HPS light care

so i've got a problem

just got new AC and its on the same circuit as all my lights. thing is when i put ac on one of the more temperate temperatures... (ok bad choice of words) it shuts on and off every 30 min or so keeping my room at a pleasant 78 degrees or whatever. thing is, every time it comes back on it starts up and takes up so much energy it shuts my HPS 400 w off for just a flicker, then it starts to heat up again ARG.

but i've been told i need to let the HPS cool down first, and soo

this has happened maybe 10x, to tell you the truth i'm not sure how many times but everytime i'm around (most of the time) i'll shut down the HPS for 20 minutes before starting it back up again, but has this hurt the efficiency/output of my HPS? should i buy a new bulb?

i guess until i figure out how to put the AC or light on another circuit i'll just be keeping my room on frigid so the damn AC never turns off...just one more headache

anybody know anything about HPS life and care...?

I don't know a lot about HPS but I would think that the constant energy taps on the lamp would definitely shorten it's life. My MH needs about 10 minutes to re-fire.
But my thoughts are the same as yours. Find another circuit for the light. Maybe run a long extension cord from a different outlet.

Just read the other day that for some reason you need to be certain to wipe the oils from your fingers off the bulb before lighting it. I didn't, but certainly will. I think mine's rated 10,000 hrs?
If you've got a garage, that circuit may be mostly available. The shorter the extension cord, the better. Get too long, there may be other considerations?

well you should definetly not be letting the light cut on and off like that because like you said you are supposed to let the light cool for a certain amount of time before you turn it back on. also if you are letting the ligh cool before turning it back on thats not going to be good for the plants.they could turn hermi from the constant light to darknes change

Popping breakers isn't doing anything any good, especially your bulbs. I had to have 4 30A lines run to the spare room (grow room) I coulod only have 3 400w lights on at any given time w/o popping a breaker. Now I have enough to run 6 or more lights and fans.
This just gets more and more involved. I can definately see now why the price of premium dope is what it is.